English Place-name Society

Survey of English Place-Names

A county-by-county guide to the linguistic origins of England’s place-names – a project of the English Place-Name Society, founded 1923.

Hamsell

Early-attested site in the Parish of Rotherfield

Historical Forms

  • Hamesell(e) 1261 Ass 1332 SR
  • Hamsele 1279 Ass
  • Hammeskull 1327 SR
  • Hamselle 1296 SR 1336 Misc
  • Hameshull 1349 Ipm

Etymology

Hamsell is Hamesell (e )1261Ass (p), 1332 SR (p), Hamsele 1279Ass , Hammeskull 1327 SR (p), Hamselle 1296 SR (p), 1336 Misc, Hameshull 1349 Ipm. This would seem to be a genitival compound of hamm and hyll , hence 'hill of the enclosure.' Cf. Hamshill (Gl), 1276 Ch Hameswell .